A Mother's Journey

The
journey of motherhood is like the changing seasons – it blossoms, is fun and
joyful, it can be colourful, and it can also be fraught with darkness. As Mother’s
Day approaches I’d like to take this opportunity to take a closer look at the stages
of motherhood and the changes we experience throughout our life journey.

Conception

It’s
such a joy and very exciting when you learn that there is a new life growing
within you. The first time you see that little heart beat on the monitor will
take your breath away. Over the 40 weeks of pregnancy your body will change,
your hormones and emotions may be heightened. During the three trimesters you
will go through many phases and can feel different things including:

Morning
sickness

Tender
or swollen breasts

Fatigue

Back
or hip pain

Frequent
urinating

Baby
movements

Sleep
disturbances

excitement

You
will be amazed at how your body is sustaining this new life that keeps growing.
Your body knows exactly what it needs to do to nurture, nourish and support
your baby’s growth. You may be experiencing some anxiety as the birth
approaches and this is completely normal, particularly when it’s your first
pregnancy.

Early Motherhood

Now
that your baby has arrived you will fall in love completely. This new little
life you have created will take your breath away. You will sit happily for hours
just gazing at this beautiful new baby.

You
may also feel like you’ve been thrown in the deep end and are desperately
trying to keep up with your baby’s needs, while trying to recover and heal from
the birth. Your hormones are likely to be all over the place and interrupted
sleep cycles will be playing with your emotions.

At
this time be sure to take the time you need to adjust to life as a mum. Don’t
be hard on yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help, reassurance or support
whenever you feel the need. Join a local mother’s group and connect with other
new mums – this will help you realise that what you are feeling and going
through is completely normal.

If
you are experiencing regular low moods and are not sure if you might be
depressed, be sure to reach out and get some help. Talk to your partner or family
about how you are feeling, and also a health professional you trust such as
your GP, Naturopath or Maternal & Child Health Nurse.

Toddler Mum

As
your baby grows into a toddler you will feel proud and amazed at how quickly
they develop, learn new skills, crawl then walk, begin to speak and read. Their
minds are absorbing everything around them and developing at such a rapid rate.

As
your toddler’s personality begins to develop you may also begin to experience
the world of tantrums, fussy eating, toilet training amongst lots of other new
habits and emotions. And yes, this is all completely normal and expected. ‘Take
a breath’ will become your new mantra.

The
world is a big place for these little people and it’s important for us as mums
to provide the support, guidance and love they need in their early life to
blossom into young adolescents.

Teen Mum

Where
did that innocent toddler go? It may seem like only yesterday that your child
was singing nursery rhymes and wanting lots of cuddles and today you’re no
longer their favourite person. Your child’s growth spurt and hormone surge will
probably shock both of you and cause much angst. This is a time when family
dynamics may change and relationships shift. It’s all part of the journey.

As
a mother, this can often feel like rejection and it hurts like hell. But trust
me, don’t take it personally… it will pass. Keep the communication lines open,
set boundaries, remain calm and lead by example. Let them know that home is a
safe place where they can vent.

As
a woman you may also be experiencing your own raging hormones if you’re
approaching menopause. It’s important to focus on your wellbeing too so that
you can cope with the emotions during this time. You may be interested in
reading my article, Naturally
Master Your Own Wellness.

Empty Nest Mum

So
your adolescent teen has grown up and is planning on leaving home. What will
you do with yourself? No matter how independent your child is when living at
home, there will be a part of you that feels lost without them around. It can
be challenging to adapt to the empty nest when your children are gone and
living their life independently.

It’s
a time of transition and unfamiliarity. Embrace it – it’s the perfect time to rediscover
your passions and interests. Reconnect with yourself, your partner, learn a new
skill, take up a new hobby, travel, explore and enjoy!

Becoming a Grandparent

When
you hear those words “we’re expecting” from your own child you will be
delighted beyond doubt. You know exactly how special the journey is and you
can’t wait to experience it all over again.

And
this time around it’s parenting without the responsibility. It’s a different
dynamic – unconditional love and quality time with your grandchild, without all
the focus being on raising them.

You’ll
be energised and filled with anticipation and excitement. When your grandchild
arrives you will get to witness your ancestral line continue to flourish and
grow through generations. What a privilege!

Whatever
stage of the motherhood journey you are at, embrace and enjoy it!